Vacation catch up with Spooks and Sociopaths

Whew, I’ve accumulated a nice little list of finished books to review.  Between home renovations, house guests, recovering from house guests and family vacationing, reviewing was cast aside.  So, here we go!

Wrath of the Bloodeye, by Joseph Delaney: In the fifth installment of The Last Apprentice series, we find Tom Ward being sent away to apprentice under Bill Arkwright a Spook who trained under The Spook, Mr. Gregory.  The Fiend is still at large and hunting Tom, and up north The Fiend uses his own daughter, a water witch to get Tom.  After Bill is attacked, it’s up to Tom, Mr. Gregory  and Alice to find Bill and deal with The Fiend, who has more than a few surprises up his sleeve.  But with the return of Graymalkin we find that she has perhaps a few more surprises.
Overall Assessment: This is another solid adventure in the series.  Meeting a new Spook was refreshing, in that he has a different method than his mentor.  The relationship between Tom and Alice is just as strong in this novel, and Tom is finally forced to decide if he wants to fight the dark Mr. Gregory’s way or with the help of Alice.
Continue with the Series: Absolutely.
My Labels: YA, series, horror

Confessions of a Sociopath, by M.E. Thomas: I picked up Confessions, on a favorable review in Bust magazine, and I have to say I was not disappointed.  The concept alone is intriguing and, initially, slightly disturbing: the thought of a sociopath working right next to me.  The difference in motivation, lack of empathy, conscious manipulation that Thomas discusses becomes, perhaps not acceptable, but more understood.  Thomas rationally outlines and reasons through many of her actions, and while I still may not like it, I can follow it, which is more than I could say before.
After finishing the book, I poked around a bit online about the book to see if I could learn more from her blog, and found out that she went on Dr. Phil to promote the book and he and others apparently thought she wasn’t so much a sociopath but a narcissist.  As a rule, I take what Dr. Phil says with less than a grain of salt, but I did roll that around (I didn’t care enough to watch the interview), and could see some of that, but I’m not a psychiatrist so who knows.  All I can do is take the book for what it claims to be, and bear in mind that as a sociopath, the writer may be manipulating certain things to further her point, which is something non-sociopath could even do.
The bottom line is this: I can run around in mental circles over it or just read it and let it be food for thought.  One thing that surprised me, was that at times I longed to be detached like Thomas.  I can certainly become overly sensitive and impulsive (just ask The Husband!) and being able to stay calm, cool and rational certainly has it’s perks.  That’s not to say I want to be a sociopath, but there are certainly times I would like to stay more rational than emotional.  As a shy introvert, I thought about how I would react and respond in situations outlined in Confessions, and there are times I would respond more appropriately, but there were times I wish I had her lack of fear.  Confessions prompted me to think about my personality and characteristics – good and bad aspects and how to balance them out, to ultimately help myself.
Overall Assessment: Well written and fascinating read, maybe not for everyone, but definitely a good conversation starter.
My Tags: Non-fiction, memoir

The Last Summer of the Camperdowns, by Elizabeth Kelly: This is my surprise find of the summer!  I stumbled across this while browsing, liked the cover and thought, “What the hell, try something you haven’t read a review of or heard of!”  I listened to this one, and while I initially had a hard time getting into it, once it hooked me – it hooked me.  Riddle tells the story of her summer as a twelve year old in 1972 in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, and what tragic events happened that summer to make Harry Devlin hate her so.  Riddle’s parents are eccentric, strong, memorable characters: Camp, an idealistic, outspoken Democrat running for office and Greer, a glamorous former movie star with a cutting wit.  Riddle becomes witness to something she doesn’t initially understand, but when she finally understands the full implications she is terrified into acting.  The events Riddle keeps trying to forget bring back forgotten love triangles, war wounds and dark family secrets.
Elizabeth Kelly’s characters are what truly bring life to the novel.  Everyone shines in their own light, be it bright or dingy, and have an aura and mystique that are hard to forget.  At the heart of these strong characters is Riddle, twelve years old, and caught between parents who want to toughen and glamor her up, but she never feels quite worthy.  Her insecurity and self-pity are overwhelming at times, but, I think it is realistic for her character and age.  The characters lead you through plot twists and turns leading to a tense climax and ending that leaves you thinking for days.
Overall Assessment: I loved it.
Favorite Quote: “Adults have no business being offended.”
My tags: Popular fiction

The Shining Girls, by Lauren Beukes: Creepy is the one word that sums up this horror, time traveling, serial killer book.  Harper Curtis stumbles into an abandoned house in Depression-era Chicago.  The house shows him a web, or constellation of Shining Girls, also living in Chicago, but killed at different times, with tokens from the other Shining Girls adorning the murder scenes.  Kirby Mazrachi was brutally attacked, but miraculously survived.  Along with the reporter who covered her case, she is hunting down the person who attempted to murder her, but all the clues point to an unlikely solution.
Kind of a weird description, I know, but it’s kind of a weird book, in a totally cool way.  Think part Time Travelers Wife (but far less romantic), and part murder mystery.  Watching Kirby sort through the articles and information on her killer, while Harper goes in and out of his house into different eras of Chicago scattering clues throughout time, you swing back and forth in time seeing the parts and waiting for the picture to come together.  The writing moves a bit slow at times, but the tension and the moving elements of the story are enough to stay engrossed to the end.
Overall Assessment: Beukes weaves all the time jumps, characters and elements into a strange, yet compelling, and thoroughly creepy story.
My Tags: Horror, Popular fiction, Mystery

Going Vintage, by Lindsay Leavitt:  Mallory discovers that her boyfriend Jeremy is cheating on her with an online girlfriend.  After dumping him online, she swears off all technology.  Inspired by her grandmother’s junior year of high school goals, she decides that she will make the list her own in her effort to go vintage.  However, finding a steady, doing something dangerous, become pep club secretary (when there isn’t even a pep club!), sewing a homecoming dress and hosting a soiree are more complicated than they seem.
This was a cute, much needed breather from the heavy, darker books I’d been reading.  The characters are a bit cookie cutter, and the story a bit predictable, but still enjoyable.  There were a lot of great scenes where Mallory discovers just how much she (and every other teen!) relies on technology for the most everyday task – driving without a GPS for example, how is it done??  It is also a playful reminder that you don’t really need all the tech stuff you have, and to be aware of just how much information you give and how it can affect others.
Overall Assessment: Cute story and concept, good for an easy beach read.
My Tags: YA, Chick Lit

Morning Glories Vol 4: Truants, by Nick Spencer: Here’s the deal, the Morning Glories are in different places in time trying to figure out how to survive this high school that literally seems like hell.  We meet The Truants, who have a separate mission and were taught by the mysterious Abraham.  Action, mystery, espionage, mystery, murder and mystery.  This volume was supposed to provide some answers, but I still have a lot of questions at the end of season one.
This book is kind of tricky to review, mainly because it is so hard to describe the action in this volume unless you’ve read the other volumes.  Plus, I still don’t fully understand what’s going on.  However, I think part of that may be because there is so much time in between reading each volume and there are details I’ve surely forgotten.   My plan is to sit down at some point, with all 4 in hand read them all consecutively.
Overall Assessment:  A fun series, but probably best to read them all together.
My Tags: graphic novel, series, YA

Coming Up Next: The Snow Child, Twenty Thousand Roads, and If You Find Me.

Challenge Failed?

In the month of July we had our annual summer yoga challenge.  My studio does a “Choose Your Own Challenge,” where, rather than the standard 30-day challenge, you pick the number of times per week you want to challenge yourself to come in and take class.  I think this is perfect because it allows all students to participate, regardless of schedule or level of fitness.  There are a lot of reasons that folks simply cannot do a thirty day challenge, but they still deserve the opportunity to challenge themselves and put their names on the challenge board (AND get stickers!).  People sign up with challenges ranging from 2-7 days a week with numbers like 3ish and 4+, which is both optimistic and realistic.  The beauty is that everyone talks about how different they feel from doing the challenge, even if they are trying to do 2-3 classes a week, which is exactly the point!

Since I haven’t done a challenge since teacher training, I decided to set my bar high, but realistically at 6 classes a week.  I average 4/5 a week, so 6 was a good number.  I made it about 2.5 weeks through with no problems, able to squeeze in the yoga, although I did have to do several classes on my own in the hot room, but that’s okay – it still counts!  Halfway through the third week Husband and I started on some major home renovations that did not go smoothly.  Here’s the kicker: I was losing the last 2 days of the challenge due to vacation AND company was coming up immediately following vacation so the bulk of the renovations had to be finished (i.e. we needed to have floors in and railings and banisters in place).  Since renovations rarely go as planned I quickly got sucked into doing a lot more than I planned on, thus not getting the opportunity take that last class.

Initially, I was really bothered by not completing my challenge, and went through a lot of mental wrestling.  I like to finish what I start, do everything all the way and meet a challenge.  Plus, part of me feels that as a teacher, I should be setting a good example and meeting my goal.  The debate in my head came to a head (ha!) Friday afternoon before I got off of work at the library.  I could cram things in and try to make the evening 6:30 class, driving a little over an hour total.  I would get home at 8:30sih, have dinner, pack for my trip, clean up all of the sawdust, put all the furniture and decorations in place, put clean linens out for the company, do laundry, etc., basically stay up late only to get up at 6am and drive for 7 hours.  Or, I could swing by the gym, do a quick workout and be home by 6:30 get all of that work done and be able to go to bed at a semi-decent hour.  Naturally, I caved.  And it’s perfectly reasonable and understandable.  Life happens.  As I was telling myself this, I had my epiphany or light-bulb moment: doing Bikram Yoga gives me a life, it is not my life, nor does it run it.  The reason I love to do the yoga is that it helps me mentally and physically to get out and live my life, including the things I don’t want to do, like the dreaded home renovation clean up.

I have a tendency to get too caught up in things and become a little too obsessive.  If I’m not careful, everything but me runs my life.  Learning to take a step back and be okay with not doing everything is my biggest challenge.  So, in my case, I’m saying challenge successful.

Keeping it real….sorta

Nothing like home renovations, yoga challenges (post to come soon!), the Summer Reading Program, and vacations to slow down reading and reviewing.  However, I still managed to get through quite a few and on the whole was very happy with all my reading.

Rebel Heart, by Moira Young: In the sequel to Blood Red Road, Saba and Lugh are reunited and are headed west with the rest of their crew.  After receiving a cryptic message from Jack, who has now joined the Tontons and helped destroy the Free Hawks, Saba runs back to save Jack.  Along the way they discover a new regime is leading the Tonton, under the guidance of the Pathfinder.
I’m very torn on reviewing this book.  I listened to it, as I did the first, because I had trouble reading it.  I believe some books are meant to be listened to and this is one of them – the audio is perfect.  The story is action packed with a lot of tension and great characters.  The one person I didn’t like, and became my frustration with the novel was Saba.  She is very headstrong, determined, has a one track mind and follows her heart – traits that served her well in the first book and should translate into her quest of finding Jack, but I don’t think they do.  She hasn’t learned anything about listening to other people and thinking about her actions and how they affect others.  Even while acting on one person’s behalf, she can still be very selfish because she is potentially affecting others by her stupid, impulsive actions.  She’s also very manipulative and careless with her actions and words, leading on those who care about her without thinking about the consequences.  However, I am willing to forgive some of this and credit it to her emotional distress over the losses she suffered in the first book.  I admire her strength and conviction, and think that she still has the potential to grow into a better person in the next book.
Will I Read the Sequel: Yes – the storyline left a great set-up for a really great conclusion.
My label: Series, YA, Post-Apocalypse, strong chicks

The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau: The central government takes the best and the brightest students to be tested for entrance to the University.  Little is known about The Testing, except that there are those who never return.  Cia was selected for The Testing like her father was upon his graduation.  His memories were wiped after The Testing, but he has terrible and horrifying dreams and flashbacks of his Testing.  Also, once you are selected, there is no backing out.  Hmmmm,  does this sound like anything else you’ve read?
It’s really hard to read this and NOT think of The Hunger Games, which is unfortunate for The Testing.  There is a lot of action, mystery, intrigue, slimy characters, back-stabbing and, of course, fighting to the death.  It is a super-fast read that is hard to put down.  While there are some surprises, there is also a lot of predictability and standard characters, that seem to be staples in this genre.
Bottom Line: Without comparing to the plethora of YA dystopian novels, this is really great.  When you take into account the other ones out there, it can still stand on it’s own two feet, while sharing certain elements and themes that can be a tad repetitive.  If you are a fan of the genre, a must read.
Will I Read the Sequel? I think so, there was enough mystery left that I still want answered. 
My Labels: Dystopian, series, YA, strong chicks

In Darkness, by Nick Lake:  Wow.  I picked this title up mainly because it won the Printz Award, and it was so worthy of the award.  The novel takes place in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake.  Shorty is trapped in the rubble of a hospital, and, convinced of his imminent death, he tells his heartbreaking story of growing up in the slums of Haiti, and caught in the gangs and violence.  He is also linked to Toussaint L’Ouverture, the man who led the rebellion against the French to free the Haitian slaves.  Shorty’s story is woven in with Toussaint’s, and the two catch glimpses of the life of the other.
The story is beautiful and raw.  Lake’s storytelling and imagery are beautiful and compelling and juxtapose the ugly realities of war, slavery and gang life.  Even more heartbreaking are the callousness that Shorty and other gang members have at such a young age – it’s a fact of life.  Adding to the depth of the novel is the gang portrayal – you still can’t fully hate the gangs though, because they take care of the people of the city in ways that the government and UN can’t or wont.  Most importantly this is still an accessible novel.  While this is (what I consider to be) a more literary novel, this is one that teens can read, understand and follow.
Bottom Line: Thought provoking and beautifully written, this is an important novel for both teens and adults.
My Label: Historical fiction, realistic fiction, YA, award winners

The Dark Monk, by Oliver Potzsch:  In the second novel of the The Hangman’s Daughter series, Jakob, Magdelena and Simon are investigating the death of the parish priest.  They are caught up in a mystery that has them on a trail left by the The Knights Templar.  Local politics, romantic rivals, lover’s quarrels and a gang of robbers add complications to their attempts to track down the clues and solve the mystery.
The Dark Monk is a solidly constructed and developed mystery.  Potzsch maintains a nice pace that keeps the 500 page novel from dragging and feeling like 500 pages.  The characters are delightful and the setting of this Bavarian village of the 1660s is fascinating and makes it stand out from other mysteries.  Not being a big mystery fan, this is one that I eagerly picked up, and relished.
Will I Read the Sequel? Absolutely!  Perhaps for a nice long car ride and flight, the length will make it last and I expect to be fully engrossed.
My Label: Mystery, historical fiction, series
The Doll People, by Ann M. Martin: This is a delightful children’s novel about a 100 year old  doll family, told through the eyes of 8 year old Annabelle doll.  Annabelle doll is quite restless and curious, not only about the outside world, but about what happened to her Auntie Sarah, who disappeared nearly 50 years ago.  The arrival of a new doll family, The Funcrafts, provides Annabelle with a new friend who offers to help her find out what happened to Auntie Sarah.
This is a delightful little story, perfect for anyone who ever had (or has!) that thought in the back of her mind that it could be possible that the dolls are alive.  Also, quite perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a lovely story about doll adventures.  Admittedly I initially didn’t plan on reading it because after spending countless reading hours on The Babysitter’s Club, I vowed to read no more Ann M. Martin.  At the encouraging of a coworker I did, so if that is your reluctance, fear not.  This is a perfect read aloud at night, and the audio version, read by Lynn Redgrave, is absolutely wonderful.
Will I Read the Sequel? Probably not.  Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the first, I don’t feel compelled to continue.  There was nothing left hanging and it stands well alone just fine.  It’s nice to just leave something nice alone.  Although, I can certainly see kids looking for and enjoying the series.
My Annabelle: My dog is named Annabelle, so I had to share who I couldn’t help but think about!My Labels: Fantasy, children’s, series

Coming up next: Confessions of a Sociopath, Wrath of the Bloodeye, and The Last Summer of the Camperdowns, and Morning Glories Vol. 4: Truants…..

Ghosties, Steampunk, Vampires and Mysteries – oh my!

Behind again because I’ve been loving what I’ve been reading.  84 books done for the year so far….

Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls, by Anton DiSclafani: This is a beautiful, engrossing novel about a young girl sent away by her family to a riding camp in the mountains of North Carolina.  Thea, a strong willed 15 year old young woman is set to the Yonahlossee Riding Camp as punishment for her sins as well as her family’s.  Thea grew up only knowing her immediate family and her cousin’s family in a dreamlike childhood of riding and exploring with her twin brother.  The novel explores Thea’s new life at camp while weaving in the events of her past that led to her exile.
This is one of my favorite adult books of the year so far.  The dreamy writing style compliments the beauty of her childhood and makes the events of her exile seem that much harsher.  At times if feels like you are caught in a haze with Thea as everything turns upside down as she moves away from her old life and reacts to her new one .  The inner workings of this all girls school strongly juxtaposes her Florida childhood, adding to the mystery of why she was sent away.  The characters are vivid and flawed, which makes them hard to hate, but hard to like.
Overall Assessment: This is a must read–perfect for one sitting, or, if you’re like me, one you want to drag out finishing because you don’t want it to end.
My Label: adult historical fiction, coming of age fiction

American Vampire Vol. 5, by Scott Snyder: The series picks up in the 1950’s.  We meet up again with Felicia Book, now retired from the VMS but is brought back into the fold to help hunt down a powerful vampire who has been released.  (Hint: his name rhymes with Chocula, but, alas, he does not offer chocolatey goodness).  Pearl is also brought in by the VMS to help hunt down a pack of vampires who have attacked Henry.  Her partner is none other than good ol’ frenemy Skinner Sweet.
At five volumes in, the series continues to pack a great punch.  The action, stories, tension and cliffhangers are well done and drawn out.  The artwork is beautifully drawn and colored. The only negative?  They are taking a short hiatus before commencing on the rest of the series.  I have to wait!  Noooooooooo!
Will I read the Sequel (or next in series)? If I don’t go crazy from waiting.
Confession: I really love Skinner Sweet.
My Label: Graphic novel, vampires, series

Scrivener’s Moon, by Philip Reeve: I finally got my paws on an audio version (started series in audio, must complete in audio!) of Scrivener’s Moon, the conclusion to the Fever Crumb trilogy.  I struggled a bit with placing everyone and everything since it’s been a while since I read the last two.  Scrivener’s Moon did a nice job of tying all the loose ends together from the first and second book.  Fever has returned home to Wavey and Dr. Crumb who are starting work on making London mobile.  Wavey and Fever travel to the north in search of old tech.  The find themselves captured by peoples who do not wish to see London move, based upon the visions of Cluny Morvish.  We also meet up again with Charley Shallow, who has become an apprentice engineer and is scheming to climb higher in the ranks.
Charley and his schemes play a large role in propelling the plot and keeping things moving.  He makes for an interesting character to follow because he still has a smidge of conscious left, but pushes it aside in favor of self preservation.  Fever, still heartbroken from Arlo, tries to loose herself in reason to but has come too far from it in her past adventures to be able to fully follow it.  She falls for Cluny (who has the most wonderful accent in the audio!), which I was initially a little surprised by and didn’t anticipate (mainly because I was hoping Arlo would come back!).  But Fever has always been an androgynous character, so in hindsight it’s not that surprising.  I loved the evolution of their relationship and how perfectly they compliment each other.  Lingering questions about the beginnings of the Scriven race and the downfall of the tech world, aptly named the Screen Age, are answered.  The tension and plot are tight and tie together well.
Ending Note: A satisfying end, that nicely sets up the Mortal Engine series.
Bonus Factor: LGBTQ points!  Fever’s relationship with Cluny is so sweet and they balance one another so well.  I loved how Fever just appreciated everything about Cluny and never stopped to worry about the fact that Cluny was a girl and no one else did either.
My Label: YA, Steampunk, Strong chicks, series

The Madness Underneath, by Maureen Johnson: This was a typical middle novel.  Lots of threads and mystery added, but little resolution.  Rory is recovering from her stabbing in Bristol, where she discovers she has new abilities.  After her therapist encourages her to go back at Wexford, she becomes curious about a recent murder, and begins uncovering more after effects of the Ripper’s death.  She also begins seeing, Jane, a therapist who offers to help her for free.  Let me restate that: On a recommendation (of someone who isn’t really a friend) Rory goes to a stranger’s house, and accepts that this woman provides therapy for free.  SMH.

Whaaaat?

Anyway, Rory’s idiocy aside, there are a lot of after affects that are still being worked out from the first book.  Stephen, Callum and Boo are without a terminus, which puts their jobs in jeopardy.  Having missed school for three weeks leaves Rory way behind in her school work and in no place to take exams.  Which means her position at Wexford is in jeopardy.  Basically, the Madness Underneath is lots of buildup and increasing tension, and then, it ends.  Sigh.
Will I read the sequel? It was all fun and games until it ended, so dammit I have to read the sequel.  Although I do feel a little gypped.  I thought our relationship meant more than leaving me hanging like that.
My Label: ghosts, Ya, series

Mojo, by Tim Tharp: I kept reading early favorable reviews on some of my favorite blogs, and, since I’m not a big mystery person, I thought I’d give it a shot.  Success!
Here’s the Deal: Dylan needs some mojo.  Like Rodney Dangerfield he get’s no respect (wow, I just made that reference).  After finding a dead body in a dumpster, he’s worse off than before after being pushed around by the police and earning the nickname “Body Bag.”  His solution?  Find the missing rich girl, and earn the $100,000 prize money.
Characters: Dylan is assisted in his search by his geeky and weakly mustached friend Randy and his kick-ass BFF Audrey.  Most of the rich kids Dylan meets are a tad cliche, but it still works within the novel.
Vibe:  The vibe of the book was part of what made it so enjoyable.  It has a classic mystery feel and structure with red herrings in all the right places, the pretty girl distraction, the too nice of a guy, threats from a couple sides, etc.  But Tharp makes it work and makes it original.  Dylan is funny and real and anyone can relate to his desire for mojo.
Overall Assessment: Fun mystery pick.
Bonus Factor: LGBTQ points for portraying a lesbian relationship in a non-gimmicky stereotypical way.  Audrey is an open lesbian and begins her first real relationship through the course of the book.  Dylan has to deal with his best friend dating and spending less time with him AND initially having a crush on Audrey’s GF.
My Label: YA, mystery, guy friendly

Coming up next: Rebel Heart, by Moira Young – The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau – The Dark Monk, by Oliver Pötzsch….

Zombies! ….and chicks.

It was a good zombie week for me.  Not only did I read Vol. 17 of The Walking Dead and Zombies Calling (more on those later!), but I saw World War Z.  Score!  I read the book about a year and a half ago and loved it.  I thought Max Brooks’ approach to telling the story was unique and gave a cool picture of how the world went through the zombie attack – most of the zombie literature (it’s very important reading, so I call it all literature) focuses on isolated individuals and communities.  Anyway, the movie focuses on Brad Pitt’s  character (honestly, I don’t really care about the character’s name, in my mind, Brad Pitt is the hero, sue me) formerly of the UN, who has experience in hostile situations.  Brad Pitt has to help research where the outbreak began and spread, because perhaps that might lead to finding a cure.  Our hero travels the globe investigating possible origins, other countries’ reactions (and why) and getting out of close calls.  Of course, Brad Pitt saves the day in a sequence that includes what is perhaps my all time favorite product placement. I thought World War Z was awesome, but I am very biased in this genre.  There was lots of action and a cool story, that stayed true to the concept of the book. It was enacted in it’s own way but stayed true to the overall concept and feel of the book.  I think this approach is better than following the book exactly because it then becomes a side-by-side comparison, which is why book to movies are often disappointing.  Husband thought it was a fun action movie, but that was about it for him.  He just doesn’t appreciate zombies (and I keep telling him that his survival chances are hurt by his ambivalence, but hey, his choice, survival of the fittest, man).  I did find the zombies suspiciously fast, but that did increase tension and action, so I will allow it.

Zombies Calling, by Faith Erin Hicks: This little gem came out in 2007, and is Hicks’ first book.  Short and sweet, the book is about zombie obsessed Joss going through university finals.  Finals are disrupted by a zombie outbreak on campus, and the only way Joss and her friends can survive is by following the zombie movie rules.  It doesn’t have the depth and story development of Friends with Boys, but at about 100 pages it still did a nice job.  The zombies aren’t exceptionally gross and there isn’t anything gory, so it is pretty accessible to all readers.
Overall Assessment: Cute, fun pick that can be finished in an hour or two.

The Walking Dead Vol. 17: Something to Fear, by Robert Kirkman:  This was a hard volume to read.  As Rick and his fellow survivors are expanding their reach, they are also encountering new enemies who are more dangerous than initially thought.  The “Saviors” is a group led by Negan; they launch large and deadly assaults on the community, leading to two important deaths.  Andrea’s and Rick’s relationship changes, as do the mind-sets of Rick and Michonne in the face of these new attacks.  Carl, is still a pain in the ass doing whatever he wants showing up where ever he wants.  Sigh.

(Image from the awesome tumblr Get out of here, Carl!)

Overall Assessment: As much as I hated some of the turns in this volume, they were necessary to keep the story going.  Seeing the cracks of hardened characters lets you see that they are still human after everything.  Hopefully the next volume will give some background to Negan.
Will I Read the Sequel? (Or in this case, the next volume?)  I’ve gone too far with them to turn back now!

The Elite, by Kiera Cass:  I have so many mixed feelings on this book and the series.  On one hand, I think about how I feel as I explained the premise to a friend…yeah, kinda silly.  But on the other hand, once I started listening, I couldn’t stop!  The Elite picks up right where The Selection left off – Maxon narrowed the field down to six.  We learn a bit more about Illea’s history, Illea’s douchey founder, Maxon’s jerk father and the rebels (though not as much as I would like).  There are also interactions with other countries that sheds more light and mysteries on the politics and goings on of the castle and country.  America is super lame and super indecisive, she flip-flops from Maxon to Aspen at the drop of a hat.  She makes stupid and irrational decisions, and then turns around and apologizes for her decisions.  Both of these guys (who have their own flaws), could do much better.
Overall Assessment: Despite my dislike of America, the story still draws the reader in.  Cass creates some great tension in secret meetings, rendezvous and lingering mysteries.  Some of the dialog is a bit cliche, and many of the secondary characters lack a lot of depth (though many who were flat in The Selction became more fleshed out).
Will I Read the Sequel? I’ve come this far, and have very strong opinions about the first two so, yes, I feel compelled to finish it out.
Cat Scale: Still not enough.  There was only 1 cat fight – 1!!  C’mon, I think we all want and expect more than that.

Coming up next: American Vampire Vol. 5, Scrivener’s Moon, and The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls.

More than Halfway!

I have read 76 books for the year!  Past the halfway mark before June.  Go me!  Visits from Mommy, busy schedule and having too many books that I can’t tear myself away from led to a delay in posting.  But, it was an exciting and eclectic week in books so I’m just gonna dive right in!

Etiquette & Espionage, by Gail Carriger: This was super fun.  I listened to this, and the reader was quite fabulous too!  So here’s the breakdown:
Setting: Victorian England, steampunk style – complete with werewolves and vampires.
The Deal: Sophronia is high spirited, plucky, active and curious, which of course means she must be sent to boarding school to polish up and act more lady like.  She is accepted into a well known finishing school that teaches how to dance, curtsey, serve tea, poison, investigate, and assassinate–without ruining your hair of course.  Upon arriving at the academy a mysterious prototype is missing and Sophronia can’t help investigating…
Names: I had to give a category to the names, because they are awesome.  Ms. Barnaclegoose, Lord Dingleproops and a mcanimal dog named Bumbersnoot are a few of the great names.
Overall Assessment: I loved the writing and tongue-in-cheek tone of the book.  It was fun without taking itself too seriously.
Will I Read the Sequel: Yes!
Quote: “‘What’s wrong with liking girly things? I like petticoats and dancing and perfume and hats and brooches and necklaces and–‘ Her eyes glazed over slightly as she contemplated sparkles.”  This is of course, the fabulous BFF, Dimity.

Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, by David Sedaris: Another solid collection from David Sedaris.  His quirky and funny essays range from colonoscopies, family life and language learning on the fly.  My favorite essay involves Sedaris learning that it is apparent he has a weakness for strange and disturbing items….mostly because I feel the same way.  He also has some short fiction interspersed, taking on different voices and topics.  These were okay, I think if there had been many more of them it would have been too much.
Overall Assessment:  Sedaris’ sardonic essays are great and make for a quick, fun read.  This is a good summer pick because the essay form allows for you to sneak in a quick essay and then pick it up later without having to remember any plot.  It can easily be read in a sitting or two as well.

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, by Prudence Shen, illus. Faith Erin Hicks: Funding is tight and the robotics team needs money to go to competition and the cheerleaders need uniforms — let the battle begin.  Nate, Robotics Club President and Charlie, Captain of the Basketball team are unlikely friends and unlikely opponents to Student Body President.  Charlie is being forced to run by the cheerleaders so they can get the money and Nate is hoping to secure funding for Robotics.  What follows are dirty campaigns, a robot death match, a stolen car as the Robotics Team and Cheerleaders strive to come out on top, dragging poor Charlie along for the ride.  Nothing can possibly go wrong, right? (Sorry, I couldn’t help but work that in — it fits so perfect!)
Illustrations: It’s Faith Erin Hicks so of course the drawings and illustrations are fantastic.  She has also done the wonderful Friends with Boys, and the delightful War at Ellsmere, among others.  LOVE.  Nothing can look wrong when she’s at the table.
Overall Assessment: Great pick for readers of all levels and interests.  Appeal for boys and girls,readers who are a sensitive to violence or sex and readers at many levels.  Must have for libraries and a must read!  Plus, robot death match!

The Unseen Guest, by Maryrose Wood:  In the third installment of the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series we meet Lord Fredrick’s mother and her potential fiance, Admiral Faucet — who has lost his ostrich.  Who better to track the ostrich into the woods than three children who know the woods, have excellent noses and tracking skills and can imitate the call of nearly any animal in the woods?  In this delightful and funny adventure we learn more about how the children survived in the woods and their origins as well as some family history about Lord Fredrick.  The story wraps up nicely, but still leaves enough unanswered questions to leave me hanging for the fourth installment!  I have listened to all of these on audiobook, and again, the narrator delivered fabulously.
Overall Assessment: I adore the adventures of the Incorrigibles and the third didn’t let me down.  There was plenty of howling and Poe (and P.O.E.s!) to keep things thoroughly amusing.

The Fifth Wave, by Rick Yancey: This is the book that kept me from writing my book reviews because I could not put this down!  Let’s break it down:
The Deal:  Aliens have arrived.  Instead of making friends they send out attacks on humans in waves.  After the fourth wave, no one knows who to trust – who is human and who isn’t.  There are a lot of mind games going on, which is super intense.  Add a cute boy and close quarters into the mix and the mind if blown.  OH SNAP!
Chick Check: Cassie is a bad ass female lead.  She loves her M16 and can kick butt and take names.  She took karate in the before so she has always been her own gal.  Nice.
Overall Assessment: Yancey delivers an awesome and inventive alien tale.  I love a book where you don’t know who the bad guys are, and it becomes a mental struggle as well as physical.  My once complaint is that I had a hard time following the actual time in the book – I would wonder how long they were in places and the like (maybe I just missed it?).  Otherwise though solid kick-butt book.
Last Thoughts? Alien apocalypse!
Will I Read the Sequel? Hello?! Alien apocalypse! Hells yeah!

Coming next review….The Elite, by Keera Cass!

Getting Served in the Hot Room

I knew it would be dangerous to talk about a hot room triumph, but I still proceeded.  In the typical yoga tradition of maintaining balance – I got served.  After teaching a delightful 8 a.m. class last Sunday, I stayed to take the 10 a.m. as I usually do.  Feeling good, I set myself up in the hot corner of the room in between two rock star students and told them I “wanted a good butt kick class!”  The yoga gods heard that, and kick my butt they did.  Actually it was my favorite Midwestern teacher, but I digress. 

I plowed through a tough standing series taking, just a little pause to stand out a smidge of Standing Bow Pulling Pose.  There is something about the floor series, and that first Savasana that allow your body to relax, but also allows any signals you’ve been ignoring or suppressing to catch up with you.  And catch up they did.  By the end of class I was laying out every other set and felt nauseated.  Sure enough, after the lights went out and the teacher left, some of the Ultima I’d been drinking made an appearance on my mat. (I swear I didn’t drink too much and guzzle!)  Anyway, it was gross.  

As a teacher this is the kind of class I try and help students avoid.  I encourage them to rest when they need a rest, have some water or gatorade as needed and to take care of themselves.  I encourage everyone to stay in the room (unless, of course, one of the 4 P’s strike) and get used to the heat and still get a nice sweat.  Sometimes, even when you know how to take care of and pace yourself, your body just has a message it needs to get to you.  In my case — I was doing too much.  Not just in the hot room but in my every day life and activities.  I had picked up extra classes to teach and extra shifts at the library, I’ve running more, walking the dogs more, working outside more and maintaining my regular practice.  That is a lot more going on and my body was exhausted.  The last thing it needed was for me to put it through the wringer of a rough class. 

We rarely take the time to relax or take it easy when we are feeling good.  We wait until we are at the point of trying to avoid getting vomit in our hair to actually take a step back.  We never stop to analyze our body when things feel good, instead, we continue to push until something snaps.  Learning how to search your mind for how your body feels and what it needs is a different matter and a different way  of taking care of yourself.  It also requires battle with the Ego, and letting your mind navigate through what your body needs and allowing the Ego to accept that over what it wants.

Oh boy!

I just found out there Elizabeth Wein has another WWII thriller coming out!  Rose Under Fire now added to my massive September pile!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262236-rose-under-fire

Reading Round-Up

Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, by Mary Roach:  I’m a big fan of her work and she didn’t disappoint.  I share her 12-year-old boy interest in the squeamish and the bizarre things about the human body.  Starting with the sense of smell and taste, Roach investigates her way down through the stomach and concludes with, well, how all things ingested conclude.  Along the way she addresses important points including, the crunch factor, important elements of spit, Elvis’s constipation, and chewing theory.  All of which was fascinating and funny.  Included, of course, is a Bristol Stool Scale for your viewing pleasure and contemplation.
Overall Assessment: If you like reading about crazy cool shit (pun intended) your body can do, and aren’t too squeamish its a fun ride.

The Selection, by Kiera Cass:  I read this based upon several friends’ recommendations, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.   Here’s the rundown:  our prince needs a wife (doesn’t he always?) To keep the masses happy, he will marry one of “the people” so the eligible women enter their names into a selection.  Thirty-five bachelorettes are selected and only one can marry his highness.  ……Yeah, I know.  In my mind, this is The Hunger Games with dating rather than death (although Katniss jumping out and shooting girls with her arrows would have been awesome.).  In fact, upon reading the synopsis I felt a bit like Lucille.

There was actually a lot more of that during the first few chapters and the first 10 times America Singer (yeah, that’s her name and I still roll my eyes over her name) continued saying “Why do I have to change myself?”, “Why can’t I stay me?”, or “I’m not changing anything about myself.”  Okay, message received: individualism good.  As the story progressed America became slightly less annoying, the love triangle developed (oh yeah!) and the story became more flushed out,  there were some great twists and turns and I actually started to like the characters.  The characters and plot felt really flat generic at the beginning, but by the end Cass had everything nicely developed.  By the last third of the book I was hooked.
Overall Assessment: Girly and fun  
Lacking? I needed a little more cattiness.  Seriously there wasn’t as much cattiness as there should have been when you have 35 girls competing for one guy. For Reals.
Will I Read the Sequel? Already on hold!

Maggot Moon, by Sally Gardner: In a marketplace flooded with dystopian books, it is difficult to find one that stands out in terms of  literary quality and originality and Gardner succeeded on both counts.  The setting reminds me of an alternate universe version of Soviet Russia.  Standish Treadwell has different colored eyes, can’t read or write, but is remarkably perceptive, smart and observant.  Standish’s only friend has disappeared after going over the wall and discovering the Motherland’s secret.  The story is told in 100 very short chapters with accompanying illustrations that move along with the story.  Maggot Moon is both disturbing and haunting, and beautifully told.  My fear, as with many books like this, is that it wont have the teen pull of the popular quick, easy dystopian books out there.  However, for those smart, curious and challenge-seeking teen readers who like 1984 and Brave New World, Maggot Moon is a definite for them.
Overall: Wow.

The Runaway King, by Jennifer Nielson: Oh snap, talk about drama! (BTW, I really want to bring “Oh snap” back…but was it ever really in? Whatever.)  So Jaron is now King of Cathya, but nothing is falling into line or place.  After attack during his family’s funeral, Jaron learns of new threats that, of course, no one believes, and on top of that, his Captain of the Guard wants to instil a Steward until Jaron comes of age.  Whew.  Of course adventures ensue, and Jaron makes poor decisions accompanied by witty one-liners.  He acquires a cute side-kick and the love triangle deepens.  Lingering mysteries from the first book were wrapped up and ground work for the final installment was laid.  While parts of the story line-up and fall together a little too neatly at times, Nielson still writes a fun, exciting and captivating adventure.  Again, I did the audiobook, which was fabulous.  In fact, I logged another 6 miles on this one!
Overall Assessment: OH SNAP!  (Seriously, I kept saying that at the close of every other chapter or whenever craziness went down.)                                     
Will I Read the Sequel: Absolutely

Six-Gun Snow White, by Catherynne M. Valente:  I can’t remember where I heard about this little gem, but I’m glad I did.  This is a re-telling of Snow White, set as a Western. Snow White is half-Crow/half-white daughter of a rich silver baron who forced her mother to leave the Crow nation and marry him.  After her mother dies in childbirth, Mr. H remarries a cruel woman who gives Snow White her name, in reference to the white skin she will never have.  Snow White runs away, works in the mines, lives with outlaws, but can never fully escape the reach of Mrs. H and her strange mirror.  Snow White is tough and raw and exudes a grittiness that makes her a fantastic heroine.  The book is fairly short (about 170 pages) and moves at a brisk pace.  The main problem I had was with some of the writing – I would find myself getting and would have to back up a bit and reread to fully understand what was going on.  The real pull and magic is Valente’s incorporation of Native American folklore and Western elements into the classic fairy tale.
Overall Assessment: Great pick for something completely different, and for anyone who wants to see a kick-ass Snow White.                                  
Accessory Report: Snow White carries a badass gun with inlaid pearls and rubies.  Nice.

Challenge Stats: 71 books read, 47% completion — 4 books ahead of schedule!

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I have no idea how I got these recommendations but I am very excited about them. Perhaps I need a UFO detector and a nice taco wallet…..